Daily Readings - Thu Jul 22 2021
First Reading - Song of Solomon 3.1-4a or 2 Corinthians 5.14-17
Song of Solomon
1By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.2I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.3The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?4It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
2 Corinthians
14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
John
1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Sermon
The first reading from the Song of Solomon paints a vivid picture of longing and love. The bride searches for her beloved throughout the night, driven by a deep yearning that cannot be satisfied until she finds him. This poetic passage is often interpreted as a metaphor for the soul’s search for God—a reminder that our spiritual journey is marked by moments of seeking, questioning, and ultimately finding divine love. The bride’s persistence and determination reflect the kind of faith and devotion we are called to embody in our own relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Mary Magdalene’s story mirrors this theme of seeking and finding. She arrives at the tomb early in the morning, her heart heavy with grief, only to discover that Jesus’ body is gone. Her weeping and confusion are met by the presence of angels and, finally, the risen Jesus himself. Mary’s encounter with Jesus is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is present. Just as the bride in the Song of Solomon finds her beloved, Mary finds the Lord, and her sorrow turns to joy. This passage invites us to reflect on our own experiences of loss and searching, and to trust that God’s presence can transform even the most painful moments.
These readings call us to embrace a life of faith and perseverance. Like the bride and Mary Magdalene, we are all seekers on a spiritual journey. There will be times when we feel lost or uncertain, but it is precisely in those moments that we must hold onto hope and trust in God’s plan. Let us allow the example of Mary Magdalene to inspire us to seek the Lord with courage and openness, knowing that He will reveal Himself to us in ways we least expect. May we, too, experience the joy of finding Him and share that joy with others, just as Mary shared the news of the resurrection with the disciples.